Reflection on Dr Ormby's Article - Pre PM Task by Ayesha Purohit https://padlet.com/ayeshapurohit352/mohtmfsjg66a48i6 en-us 2021-02-23 10:21:35 UTC 2021-03-02 19:17:27 UTC hello@padlet.com Alisha and Altaf alishabardai15 https://padlet.com/ayeshapurohit352/mohtmfsjg66a48i6/wish/1257738045 Throughout the article there have been various styles of writings used but the poets. however it is important to note that some of them like Nasir I Khusraw considered that speech is superior to writing and it's like the soul to the words. He also considers The audience is absent from the writer while reading, but present while speaking. 
It is seen that the theme was mystical where the authors and poets saw the world from the eyes of the heart depicting majorly  allegories and also the theme of zahir and batin. 
Considering the fact that the audience may have interacted with the Quran under an oral tradition and its meaning may have been interpreted in different ways than said and thus, the focus on zahir and batin remains inevitable where it is understood that the fables, stories, poems all have underlying meaning and thus, are expressed through various analogies, metaphors, allegories, similes etc in the given works. 
further to look specifically at the works mentioned: 

Ikhwan al-Safa: Produced a hodgepodge epistle, in a crypto-Ismaili Persian way, by being Arab in faith, Hanafi in jurisprudence, Iraqi in culture, Hebrew in tradition, Christian in comportment, Syrian in piety, Greek in knowledge, Indian in contemplation and Sufi in intimation and lifestyle; perhaps to evade attention and keep them safe from the persecution of the Abbasids.

Shi’i literature during the Safawids with Sufi elements: The authors might have caught the wind of rising tide of Sufism and its influence throughout Islam. Thus, trying to convey their thoughts in the most easiest sense, perhaps as a rapprochement to Sunnism.

Farid al-Din Attar: Used birds with metaphors and allegories to show the bright and ugly sides of humans and make them self reflect as his house was destroyed and he got homeless at one point of time.

Nasir Khusraw: Laments his hardships because he had to go into exile in Yumgan to evade persecution.

Al-Mu’ayyad: Using the teachings of Imam of the time readily available to him from his patron (the Imam himself) influencing his hermeneutics, not to ignore the fact that he was the hujja.

The poetic devices used and the rhythm of the odes in The peak of eloquence to prepare the minds of the readers just like how ginans do. There are certain overtones and poetic metres to them which represent the aesthetic sensibilities without compromising the esoteric perspective – coming in vividly through paradoxes, metaphors, similes and personification.




]]> 2021-03-02 11:19:46 UTC https://padlet.com/ayeshapurohit352/mohtmfsjg66a48i6/wish/1257738045 Alisha and Altaf alishabardai15 https://padlet.com/ayeshapurohit352/mohtmfsjg66a48i6/wish/1257769176 The Mathnawi by Rumi- Song of the reed 
This collection of poems is a religious work with the themes of mysticism. It is said that Rumi had written it in response to a request by his disciple. When we look at this poem the genre that comes out is lament, a cry towards reality. Despite being a story of a reed, the poem's style depicts personification of the feelings and emotions humans feel given to a reed. The struggle the audience may have been through in the past and during that period is depicted through the theme of separation in this poem. It enables humans to reflectively think upon the human soul's separation from the divine, through the allegories used and making it relative to man, using personification. 

Also, the idea that has been expressed time and again in the Muslim societies about they losing their glory and in search of their roots is something that comes in one’s mind. Besides, the fact that the world is transitory and that we all have to return someday to our final destination. So now that we are detached from it, we lament our separation which effuses through the song of the reed.



]]> 2021-03-02 11:31:04 UTC https://padlet.com/ayeshapurohit352/mohtmfsjg66a48i6/wish/1257769176 Roshini and Attiya iis_teacher1 https://padlet.com/ayeshapurohit352/mohtmfsjg66a48i6/wish/1260080935 Fabled - The Peak of eloquence is written in a more so fabled way. This could be to bring out the core essence even of what was spoken in an elenquent manner using a language that uses rhymes and metaphors. In order to translate it into a language understood by people today, it  probably took an approach that is easily relatable and comprehended. 

Prose - A style seen in Shi'i texts. As Ormby says, prose was used to display a rather "unexpectedly friendly and confiding tone". This could  be because writers were trying to capture various elements under varied genres. 
 Shi'i literature also shows an influence of mystical thoughts and ideas - hinting at the growing influence of Sufism. 

Use of Metaphors and Allegories - This again is seen in many different works. A reason for this could be to bring out moral along with mystical ideas. A prominent example of the use of metaphors and allegories is Attar's conference of birds. 

Poetic - The mention of ghazals and Qasidas as a sign of elaborating rhyming prose and maybe the importance of oral tradition. 

Overall, an important idea that writers try to display is that of the zahir and the batin and the reason for this could could be to in order to showcase admiration for Imams and to express mystical ideas (for Shi'is and Sufis). ]]> 2021-03-02 18:42:37 UTC https://padlet.com/ayeshapurohit352/mohtmfsjg66a48i6/wish/1260080935 Roshini and Attiya iis_teacher1 https://padlet.com/ayeshapurohit352/mohtmfsjg66a48i6/wish/1260193006 Conference of birds by Attar -  Many doubts and Questions

This metaphorical and allegorical poem not only tells a story but also takes the reader on a journey to personal search and reflection. 
The section 'Many doubts and Questions' describes how the birds had different concerns, however, what stood out was Hoopoe's perseverance and dedication. The excerpt shows hoe Hoopoe inspired every birds. The statements and the language used hits a cord. Statements such as "Your heart’s congealed like ice" forces the reader to stop and reflect on the ice that is formed on our hearts and thoughts and later when Hoopoe states "Trust him..." gives hope and a sense of confidence to the reader. 

Overall, the poem is written and articulated powerfully. The metaphors and symbols, especially the choice of birds can also help people see how each one us have great potential but we restrict our own selves because of the doubts and questions we raise time and again. ]]> 2021-03-02 19:02:19 UTC https://padlet.com/ayeshapurohit352/mohtmfsjg66a48i6/wish/1260193006